Talegating: Mark Herzlich

Doc BearApr 14, 2011 12:00 PM

It’s one of the most inspiring stories in this year’s draft: He was born Sandon Mark Herzlich, Jr., on September 1, 1987, to Sandon and Barbara Herzlich, and became known as Mark. He also has a younger brother, Bradley. They’re a close-knit family, a factor that played a role in his recovery from being diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in 2009, a cancer that attacks bones, and which took away part of his left femur, the bone in the thigh, which has been replaced by a 12-inch titanium rod. Mark moved back to be nearer to them in that time.

Herzlich has won a multitude of awards for the way that he handled his disease, and the way that he created outreach opportunities to convince other sufferers that they could beat their cancers, recover and have any life that appealed to them. He won the Rudy Award in 2010 - an honor that’s given to a college football player each year who shows exemplary character, courage, contribution and commitment. It was presented to Herzlich's father at the American Football Coaches Association convention in Dallas. It was only one of many. He was also given the ACC’s Brian Piccolo Award for the most courageous player during his senior year.

At 6'4" and 244 lb, Mark Herzlich was a tough, highly effective linebacker for Boston College, recoginized as the ACC's defensive player of the year in 2008. He was also a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top defensive player. He pulled in six interceptions that year, the most of any linebacker in the country - and returned two of them for touchdowns, tied for first in the entire country at his position.

All of that changed in 2009, when he decided to have a recurrent pain in his left leg examined. The medical exam showed that he had bone cancer. Many people would have caved under that kind of shock, but Herzlich showed everyone just what he was made of. He may have had cancer of the bone, but it didn’t do a thing but strengthen the young man’s heart. He immediately released this statement:

This past week, I got some news nobody wants to hear. After undergoing some tests to determine the cause of some pain I had been experiencing in my leg, I learned that I have Ewing's sarcoma. Obviously, I was shocked. I had been extremely focused on preparing for my senior year at Boston College and for life beyond that. Now, I must channel all that energy into facing my toughest opponent yet and that is exactly what I will do. At this point, I do not know what this means for my football future, but I am determined to rid my body of this disease so that I can put that uniform back on. Thank you in advance for your prayers and concerns. Together, we will fight this and win.

In his case, the cancer attacked the upper bone of the leg - the femur - and it resulted in Mark having a rod inserted in his left femur. Getting his legs as strong as they were before the cancer is still a work in progress. If you look at tape of his 2008 performance, what we saw in the Senior Bowl didn’t do it justice. What’s remarkable about Herzlich, though, is that he not only beat the cancer - he’s been checked, and is cancer-free - but that he used the time to work harder on developing his upper body strength and returned to the playing field at the same weight that he had been before his ordeal. The legs need time to redevelop, but Herzlich has already shown the grit and perseverance to handle an issue that minor before he steps on an NFL playing field.

Some teams will worry about the cancer returning. Herzlich insists that it doesn’t come into his head. "My health is fine, just like anybody else's," he said. "I got all green lights and don't have any worries."

High School

To go back to his beginnings, like most NFL-level players Herzlich already had that air of a winner about him by the time he was in high school. Playing at Conestoga High School in Pennsylvania, he became the first player to win the team’s MVP award three times. He was a three-time All-Chester county, All-Suburban and All-Main line selection, and still lined up at fullback as well as linebacker in 2003 and 2004, scoring three touchdowns. He led his team, the Pioneers, to consecutive Central League championships. Mark also earned AP Class AAAA first-team honors in 2004 and 2005. He had a team-high 153 tackles in 2005, and had 142 tackles and four INTs as a junior. he was also a star attack man on the lacrosse team, demonstrating his athleticism and his hand-eye coordination.

College

After deciding on Boston College, he made his presence known immediately. He played in all 13 games his true freshman year, racking up 42 tackles and one sack, a forced fumble and an interception. 14 of his tackles came in a single game against Buffalo. He also was named as an honorable mention to the College Football News Freshman All-America team.

He picked up where he’d left off during his sophomore campaign, moving from playing in every game to starting all of them, including a win over Michigan in the Champs Sports Bowl. He finished the season second on the team in total tackles with 97 - 55 of them of solo variety. Herzlich also led the team with 12 tackles-for-loss for a cumulative 60 yards and added 1.5 sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one quarterback hurry and an interception.

But it was in 2008 that he really broke out and showed the world what he can do. He led the team with 110 tackles (81 solo), six interceptions, eight pass break-ups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, and he had three tackles for loss. I gave a partial list of his awards and honors above. To them, add that he was chosen First Team All-American by Rivals.com and Scouts.com, AP Third Team All-American and honorable mention by Pro Football Weekly and SI.com. Herzlich was a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy and was chosen as a three-time ACC Player of the Week. It made his situation in 2009 even tougher, but Mark was tougher still.

In 2010, he came back, leading the team onto the field in the season opener against Weber State and racking up five tackles in that game. He ended the season at third on the team with 65 tackles and 50 solo stops, and was tied for first on the team with two forced fumbles, taking second on the team with four interceptions and adding to that four pass break ups. He wasn’t at full strength yet - the procedures, chemotherapy and radiation, and the surgery on his femur to insert the 12-inch titanium rod had taken a lot out of him. He broke a bone in his foot, and another in his hand during the season. Herzlich was undeterred, though. He’d lived with worse. He didn’t miss a game.

The Eagles are No. 1 in the country against the run, yielding just 80.17 yards per game and allowing seven rushing touchdowns in 12 games. The Eagles have mixed and matched up front because of injuries, but the linebackers are what this defense is all about. Sophomore Luke Kuechly is the nation's leading tackler, and senior Mark Herzlich, who battled a series of injuries after winning his battle with cancer, has looked like his old self in recent games.

He was invited to the Senior Bowl, but didn’t have a great week. He was blocked in his attempts to rush the passer, and had trouble in coverage that revealed the limits of his left leg at that point. He knew that this just made the Combine even more important.

The weigh-in day showed that he was 6’4” and 244 lb - nearly perfect for a linebacker. Herzlich didn’t have a great 40 - he had a low of 4.76 and a high of 4.98, despite running much faster earlier in college. He had a 32.5-inch vertical and a 9.4-foot broad jump. He gave 29 reps on the 225-lb bench press and had a 3-cone drill of 7.32. He announced that the leg was fine, but the truth is that he’s had some trouble moving, both backward and laterally. It showed at the Senior Game and it showed at the Combine. On the other hand, the leg isn’t fully rehabbed, and in his final three games at BC, he started to look a lot like the linebacker he was in 2008. During 2010, the Senior Bowl and the Combine, it was clear that he has one thing that NFL coaches really want to hear - he just loves the game. He loves practicing, lifting, studying film (when he couldn’t work out in the early stages of treatment, he spent his time studying film. Look up ‘dedication’ in the dictionary - there’s a picture of him there), and absolutely loves playing anywhere on game days. He pronounced himself NFL material when he defended against then-Hokie and current Broncos WR Eddie Royal, who was playing in the slot. He’s played at Mike and he’s played at the Sam position. He’s comfortable with either.

He’s already hit the weight room, and continues to do so - he wants his legs to get as strong as his arms have become. The struggles in space were a concern during Senior Week, but he’s still coming back from the effects of both the disease and its treatment. In reality, the rate of recurrence is only 3%, so it’s very likely that he’ll be fine. He tackles well in the open field, and was a top coverage LB prior to the cancer. He says that he has no doubts that he’ll be one again. By the way - his timed 40 during his freshman year was 4.65. As his legs get stronger, he’ll get much closer to that mark.

You can’t fail to be moved by this young man’s story. It has courage, pathos, drama, and lacks only a final happy ending to be complete. I’d bet that one is on the way. Mark Herzlich is open about betting that whoever drafts him - and New England has shown considerable interest - is going to get a guy who, in Jim Goodman’s words, is “...a football player.” When asked by Scott Wright about the effects of the cancer on his game, his measured reply was this:

Scott Wright: How has your battle with cancer made you a better football player?Mark Herzlich: It has made me more determined. Things naturally came easy to me before as a player. Now I have to work harder. I have more doubters now, which builds up my drive even more.

Scott Wright: What are your favorite and least favorite parts of playing football?Mark Herzlich: My favorite part of playing football is the excitement and power you feel when you are able to take over a game. There have been many cases in which I feel as though I have been a force on the field physically and psychology. The harder you hit and the faster you make plays, the more the offense has to be aware of you and then you have them where you want them.

Scott Wright: What would you say is your greatest strength as a football player? What area do you need to work on?Mark Herzlich: My greatest strength is not only my toughness but my skill set. I have natural speed, agility, smarts and great hands. I need to get my full strength back in order to become dominant once again. I also pride myself in my preparation, whether it be film study, nutrition or training. I still think I can improve on all of these areas though. As with anything in life, the things you think you are good at, someone is always better. I hope to find the people that are better than me over the next few months and learn from them how to improve myself as a player and increase my stock.

During his presser at the Combine, Mark talked about being a cancer survivor. He declared himself 100 percent and said battling through the disease has helped him stay positive and motivated when games come down to the wire:

It’s not a conscious motivation. I don’t sit there in the fourth quarter and think, ‘Well, I beat cancer, I can do this.’ It’s just you get trained throughout your life, whether you go through something like this or something else, you train yourself to push through tough times. Throughout the year that I went through chemotherapy and radiation, those were tough times — as tough as it’s going to get. So in the fourth quarter, it’s tough, but at the end of the day you’re playing football. I’m doing something I love. So take every minute, and don’t waste it.

Whatever your career, it’s good advice. To his naysayers who feel that he’ll never get back his lateral movement and his speed, I’d suggest that you never want bet against him. He’s lain in bed, thinking about the reality of human mortality, and come through the fires of that experience hardened and mentally stronger than ever. It won’t take that long for his body to catch up. Someone is going to pull the trigger on him in a couple of weeks. If I were a betting man, I’d lay good odds that he’s going to outplay his draft position. In a few years, I’d expect him to be a solid-to-top starter, and I’d love to watch him on special teams during that time. Whatever the team asks of him, he’s already faced bigger challenges. The phrase is often overused, but this guy is special.

"It's been a journey," said Herzlich, “I talked to people who are going through cancer right now. The biggest problem they have is not having a light at the end of the tunnel, not having a goal. My goal happened to be running out the tunnel, with my team. It got me through a lot of things.”

When all is said and done, the man is talented, hard-working, and courageous. He’s also a winner. You can’t ask much more than that for your team.

I think that he’d look great in orange. Go Broncos!

Learn to laugh at yourself. You will be ceaselessly amused. - Sri Gary Olsen

You can reach Doc at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @alloverfatman

Wow! Doc, great read! Congrats on the positive feedback from Mark&#8217s father. This piece is moving to say the least, and I bet it still doesn&#8217t do the man justice.

Keep up the incredible work IAOFM. I may not comment near as often in the offseason&#8212mostly because of school&#8212but IAOFM will always be the first website I check in the mornings. Good work to all of you.

Posted by AndrewR0488 on 2011-04-15 00:51:02

Amazing to see the eyes that get a chance to read your excellent work, Doc.

Just awesome. Kudos to you and all who read your work (and get smarter for it).

Posted by Orange and Blue on 2011-04-15 00:35:29

I meant comment # 10.

Posted by BlackKnight on 2011-04-14 21:35:28

No way will I every come close to topping your last comment. Wow! He will make his dad proud!

Great piece of work, Doc. This guy is deserving of all the opportunities he will have coming to him. Hope he is a Bronco. Nice that he can play both SAM and MIKE.

Thanks, Doc.

Posted by BlackKnight on 2011-04-14 21:34:44

Thanks, Ponderosa. I didn&#8217t know the extent of muscle loss, but as you say - he may not run at a 4.6, but look at Bill Walsh&#8217s definition of the Sam linebacker (which I think that Mark fits:

&#8220Now we also have the strong side linebacker, who plays opposite the tight end. He should be larger than the weak side outside linebacker, about 6-4, 250. He must have the hands and the range to hold up the tight end and to wade through the fullback, or whoever is blocking, to get to the ball. This strong side linebacker must be able to hold the edge of the defense.

He must be able to hold up the tight end. He can meet the fullback&#8217s block. He can blitz effectively against running backs attempting to pass protect him. And he can meet the off tackle play of the fullback or the pulling guard. This position is not as common as it once was. Now they are shifting the line so a defensive lineman is over the tight end and the linebacker is stacked behind.

But it is still the same type of athlete. He typically plays on the tight end side and he is bigger and stronger. In the past he has not had to be a key coverage guy. But now if he is stacked behind a defensive lineman and protected, he becomes a key coverage man.

Even with the changes in philosophy, teams are flopping their outside linebackers. They have a pursuit linebacker and a run defender.

Mark fits the run defender type well, and Denver has a deep need at Sam. If the right slot is open at the right time, I hope that the FO takes this man. I think that they&#8217ll look like geniuses in a short time.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2011-04-14 21:33:59

We received this via the IAOFM.com email, and I thought that I&#8217d share it with you:

I&#8217m Mark Herzlich&#8217s father and just read your blog on him. Wow - if I didn&#8217t

love him before, I sure would now! Thanks for your kind words and support.

Mark&#8217s going to make some GM look like a genius.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2011-04-14 21:31:03

Great write up Doc. Ewing&#8217s sarcoma is an unusual cancer in many ways, but when caught early like it was in Herzlich&#8217s case should have a very low rate of recurrence. It&#8217s not zero however. The recovery could be near 100%, but realistically is likely to be less because muscle tissue is lost permanently during the treatment and surgery. The remaining muscle can be overdeveloped to compensate, but it won&#8217t be the same. In other words, 4.6 speed in the 40 may not be achievable. However, this has little to do with whether he&#8217ll be successful as a football player since other intangibles become more important. I&#8217d be delighted to take him as a draft choice and would have far less concerns about his health than I would a player with Crohn&#8217s disease for instance.

Posted by Ponderosa on 2011-04-14 20:47:43

You have to believe in the kid&#8217s ability to get back to normal, even with the titanium rod in his femur. That&#8217s more Ponderosa&#8217s field than mine, but I&#8217m not aware of a specific reason that he couldn&#8217t make a full recovery. Frankly, I think that betting against the man seems a fool&#8217s bet, but the medical side will play into this.

Would I take him with a late 2nd? Sure. I really like Mason Foster as well - they say that big games bring out big talent, and he had a heck of a Bowl game. Denver does get to pick early in the rounds - 2 in the 1st, 4 and 14 in the second and 3rd in the 3rd, currently. If Herzlich lasts to the early third, it should be an easy choice.

The story with Cam Newton reminds me that every year, some player is &#8216this year&#8217s so-and-so&#8217. It&#8217s pretty nonsensical - every player is an individual. I&#8217ve heard the comparisons to every black QB aimed at Newton, and it is, unfortunately, utterly racist. You&#8217d think that no white QBs were mobile from the chatter out there. Fran Tarkenton, anyone? The list after him is long, and Tebow is an obvious comparison - they have differences and similarities, but there are some reasonable matchups between them. The NFL is still, in degree, further behind racially than it should be by now. Perhaps the media plays a role in that.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2011-04-14 18:29:25

Ted:

I&#8217m with you. Its almost satirical to watch pundits doing &#8216compares to&#8230&#8217 with players. For example, I stopped on Path to the Draft on NFL Network one evening and the topic was Cam Newton. Every comparison was against a black QB. He was a more refined passer than V. Young, had better footwork than the rookie version of Donovan McNabb, probably wasn&#8217t the leader Steve McNair was, etc, etc, etc. Apparently his defining characteristic is being black rather than being a quarterback prospect. It was all at once sort of comical and sort of sad.

Last year, with Toby Gerhart rather than painting a picture using similar current NFL backs, he was talked about only in the context of Riggins, Czonka, etc. Decker was framed against white WR&#8217s, etc, etc, etc.

Posted by Drewthorn on 2011-04-14 17:40:23

Nice write up, as usual Doc. At the right price (draft pick), I would love to get his guy. As an organization, we&#8217ve gambled on guys much worse than him.

Posted by RalphW on 2011-04-14 17:23:32

I take it back, I guess I forgot Spikes was suspended the last 4 games of 2010 for positive testing of some sort.

Posted by Orange and Blue on 2011-04-14 17:23:12

Excellent, Doc.

Not sure why NE would want him, they have the exact same player (to me) in Brandon Spikes - unless Herzlich comes back to 100%. But I guess their problems are just depth now (sigh).

Posted by Orange and Blue on 2011-04-14 17:17:38

Drew - My cynicism isn&#8217t related to Herzlich personally, or any player, it&#8217s more of a joke on how white athletes often get portrayed by the media, as being made of a special stuff, and having &#8220grit.&#8221 That tends to inform the way that they&#8217re viewed by many fans, and I&#8217m just a voice in the wilderness, trying to do my part to facilitate laughing at it, and, eventually ending it. There&#8217s a lot of resistance to race-homogenizing in comparing players going on in the football blogosphere lately, too, and that&#8217s a good thing.

Herzlich is a big-time natural talent, who would be a slam dunk first-rounder, if it wasn&#8217t for the cancer, and its effects on his senior season tape. I&#8217d love to have him on the Broncos, solely for what he can do on a football field, when he gets fully back up to speed.

Great piece as always, Doc!

Posted by Ted Bartlett on 2011-04-14 17:09:51

Doc,

One of your best!

I loved Herzlich and thought he was coming out early, and really wanted the Broncos to draft him.

I want him even more now. He would be a great fit in a 4-3 and brings passion and leadership.

Xanders and Fox, please get this kid late 3rd or early 4th&#8230he will be a steal.

Thanks again Doc!

Posted by Boydy2669 on 2011-04-14 16:35:55

I hate to hear that NE is showing considerable interest. He&#8217s kind of my fantasy 3rd round pick, and I&#8217ll be sorely disappointed if Denver picks a guy that looks like a good linebacker (M. Wilson) while passing a guy that actually plays like a good linebacker in Herzlich (or Mason Foster). For the record, despite TB&#8217s apparent cynicism <img alt="tongue wink" height="19" src="http://www.singernet.com/images/smileys/tongue_wink.gif" style="border:0;" width="19"> , my attraction to Herzlich goes deeper than his skin color. Dude&#8217s an instinctual baller with the strength and proven coverage ability to play SAM, and his considerable upside, intangibles and work ethic make him a bargain rather than a health risk in the 3rd round. Heck, I&#8217d even like him with that second second rounder.